Global Research Progress of Sepsis and Mitochondria: Bibliometrics and Visualized Analysis

OBJECTIVE: Many studies have demonstrated a significant association between mitochondria and sepsis. As research on mitochondria continues to deepen, substantial advancements have been achieved in elucidating the connection between mitochondria and sepsis. Nevertheless, there has been no systematic bibliometric analysis or visualization of the related publications in this field. This study aims to visually present the knowledge system and research focus between mitochondria and sepsis through the method of bibliometrics. METHODS: An extensive review of existing literature was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to identify publications investigating the relationship between mitochondria and sepsis. Subsequent bibliometric analysis was conducted using R software (version 4.4.0) with the Bibliometrix package (version 4.2.3), complemented by visualization and network analysis through VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) and CiteSpace (version 6.1.6). RESULTS: From 1997 to 2025, the Web of Science Core Collection retrieved a total of 1993 relevant publications. The number of publications related to mitochondria and sepsis has continued to increase throughout this period. China, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, plays a central role in advancing research in this field. Leading institutions contributing to this area include the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and the University of London. SINGER M and ZHANG Y are the top authors in this research field. The keyword analysis reveals that the high-frequency terms include sepsis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We summarized the pathogenesis of sepsis related to mitochondria, as well as the existing and potential therapeutic drugs for sepsis that are associated with these mechanisms. DISCUSSION: As the comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field, our study visually presents key research trends and hotspots linking mitochondria to sepsis, emphasizing the significance of mitochondrial dysfunction and other factors in the pathogenesis of sepsis, offering a valuable framework for future scientific and clinical advancements. CONCLUSION: The field of mitochondrial research in sepsis has experienced steady growth over the past two decades, with substantial contributions from China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Emerging evidence suggests that future investigations are likely to center on key pathological mechanisms such as mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.